Texting and driving in California is extremely dangerous, and it can result in debilitating accidents and severe injuries. Despite that, the prevalence of cell phones in vehicles is increasing the number of drivers who are using their phones while they drive. It is illegal to operate a cell phone while driving. Operation of a cell phone can include texting, looking for directions, reading a text, using social media, video calling or Facetiming, or playing a game. Given the severity of distracted driving crashes, it is critical to do everything you can to avoid an accident. There are many options that can allow motorists to avoid texting and driving accidents. Our Los Angeles distracted driving lawyers want to discuss alternatives to texting and driving to help prevent serious and deadly collisions.
Ways to Avoid Texting and Driving
There are many different ways to avoid texting and driving, including but not limited to the following:
- Use a voice to text app;
- Keep your phone out of reach;
- Turn off your phone; or
- Rely on vehicle technology.
Using Apps as Alternative to Texting
If you know you are likely to text on your phone while you are driving, you can download various apps that will prevent you from accessing your device when you are behind the wheel (or that can prevent your teenage driver from sending or reading text messages while driving). Drivemode is an app that answers calls, or sends and hears text messages so that you will not engage in handheld texting while driving. TextDrive is another app that is an autoresponder. Rather than allowing you to send or receive text messages in a hands-free form while you are driving, it sends an auto-reply to anyone who texts that lets them know you are driving and will reply when you have stopped the car.
Keep Your Phone Out of Reach
People who know they will be likely to reach for their phone at a red light or stop sign, or while sitting in traffic, should consider putting the phone out of reach to avoid texting and driving. For example, you can put the phone on the back seat of your car on the opposite side of the vehicle so that you will not be able to reach it until you have gotten out of the car.
Turn Your Phone Off While You Drive
Sometimes simply turning off your phone when you get behind the wheel can prevent you from texting and driving.
Rely on Technology in Your Automobile
Most new cars and trucks come equipped with technology that allows for hands-free texting and talking while driving. You can either connect your phone to the car through hardwiring (and then keep it out of reach while you are behind the wheel) or connect the phone through Bluetooth. Then, you can send and receive messages if necessary while you are driving without taking your hands off the wheel and your eyes off the road. However, it is important to remember that distracted driving accidents can still occur even if you take your mind off the task of driving, which can happen with hands-free messaging.
Contact a Car Accident Lawyer in Los Angeles
Do you have questions about distracted driving accidents or texting while driving collisions? An experienced Los Angeles car accident attorney at our firm can speak with you about filing a claim. Contact El Dabe Ritter Trial Lawyers today to learn more about how we can assist you.